Research

Our goal is to elucidate how the brain controls “innate” behaviors, including sleep/wakefulness, feeding, emotional behavior, parental behavior, sexual behavior and aggression, which are required for the survival of the individual and the species. We mainly use genetically-modified mice together with viral vectors to uncover neural substrate and neural code of instinct. We believe that what we obtain from our functional-neuroanatomic research enable us to understand human behaviors and disease, and to develop therapeutic interventions. We actively collaborate with various research institutes and laboratories such as University of Tsukuba, IIIS, and to contribute to neuroscience and functional anatomy as a characteristic and productive laboratory.

A thing of beauty is a joy for ever:
Its loveliness increases; it will never
Pass into nothingness; but still will keep
A bower quiet for us, and a sleep
Full of sweet dreams, and health, and quiet breathing